Top Halal Friendly Holiday Destinations - 2011

Looking to spend a "Halal Holiday". Here is our list of 10 Halal (Muslim) Friendly Holiday destinations to explore in 2011. From great beaches, shopping, theme parks.. to Islamic heritage, these 10 Halal holiday (friendly) destinations for Muslim travellers offer everything you need to plan your next holiday. From the Crescentrating team we wish you all have great Halal Friendly holidays in the coming year.

1. Malaysia

{tip MalaysiaMuslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Malaysia Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Holiday to Malaysia}Malaysia{/tip}during the last 10 years has emerged as one of the top destinations for Muslim travellers worldwide. With readily available Halal food and prayer facilities in shopping malls, attractions, theme parks etc., the Halal conscious travellers will feel at home across Malaysia. It is indeed a geat place to spend a Halal Holiday (friendy).

In 2009, Malaysia had more than 23 Million visitors. It was the highest ranked South-East Asian country and the 9th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

With a population mix of majority Malays and large Chinese & Indian communities and Indigenous people, Malaysia is a "Truly Asia"(n) destination.

From Shopping, Attractions, Nature and Beaches, to peaceful retreats, it offers everything you want a great holiday to be. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Putrajaya, Kota Kinabalu, Shah Alam, Melaka, Kuching, Johor Bahru, Cameron Highlands, Kota Bahru and Genting Highlands are some of the top cities for travellers to visit. For great beaches and untouched wilderness, the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are ideal destinations.

2. Turkey

{tip Turkey Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Turkey Muslim Travel Guide home page to help you plan your Halal Holiday to Turkey}Turkey{/tip}has always been one of the popular destinations for the Muslim travellers due to its rich Islamic history. It had more than 25 Million visitors in 2009 and was ranked 7th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

Turkey has a variety of travel destinations to satisfy all types of travellers. This includes Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Museums in Ankara, the picturesque Salt Lake in Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Alanya, Pamukkale, ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis in Kusadasi, the ancient city of Ephesus, Izmir etc.

In the last couple of years, some operators in Turkey have also realised the huge potential for more Halal Holiday (friendly) resorts. It is now becoming a sought out destination for Halal friendly beach holidays.

3. Egypt

{tip EgyptMuslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Egypt Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Holiday to Egypt}Egypt{/tip}truly is a place to rediscover Islamic heritage. A visit to the historical places of Cairo alone should help understand the glorious days of Egypt. With thousands of years of history it is a memorable experience.

With close to 12 million visitors in 2009, it is ranked 19th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

There are many destinations that a visitor could explore and enjoy in Egypt. Cairo, the largest city in Africa and the capital of Egypt, has also been named "The City of a Thousand Minarets" because of the prominent Islamic architecture. Ain Sokhna is close to Cairo and is known for its lovely beaches, water sports, fishing and coral reefs. Dahab is one of the most cherished diving destinations of Sinai. If you want to travel back in history, the city of Luxor is worth a visit.

Alexandria, the pearl of the Mediterranean is the second largest city in Egypt and spreads over 32km along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and is located in north-central Egypt. Aswan is thought to be the sunniest city of the country and is located below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser. Applauded for its beaches, historic monuments and lovely architecture, Sharm El Sheikh is a very popular destination too.

4. Morocco

The dazzling palaces, enticing oases and the warm hospitality of the Moroccanpeople makes travellers feel at home. It also offers an opportunity to learn more about Islamic history.

{tip MoroccoMuslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Morocco Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Morocco}Morocco{/tip}had close to 8 Million visitors in 2009 and was ranked 26th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

Rabat, Casablanca, Tanjiers, Marrakech, Fez, Meknes etc., each offer memorable experiences. Apart from the beaches and shopping in souks (markets), Morocco is rich with Islamic monuments, Masaajid and museums with its unique and beautiful architecture.

Casablanca is also the home of the largest Masjid in Morocco, which is one of the largest in the world. A visit to Morocco is never complete without spending some relaxing time at one of the Hammams or traditional baths.

5. Indonesia

{tip Indonesia Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Indonesia Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Indonesia}Indonesia{/tip}is made up of more than 17 thousand islands covering more than 1.9 million square kilometres with a population of 230 million. It is the largest Muslim country in the world and the 4th largest overall with Jakarta as its' capital city.

With more than 80,000 kilometres of coast line, Indonesia offers great beaches for surfers and divers. You can even swim with dolphins, dugongs and manta rays.

Bali is the most popular destination for travellers to Indonesia. It offers great beaches and some of the best resorts in the world. Bintan and Batam are popular islands as well.

With only 6000 islands inhabited, the biodiversity supported by its vast forests are second only to Brazil. It is an eco-tourists' dream; offering breathtaking mountain views and plenty of rainforests to trek through. Many parts of Indonesia are still unexplored.

Indonesia had more than 6 Million visitors in 2009 and is ranked 36th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

6. Thailand

{tip Thailand Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Thailand Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Thailand}Thailand{/tip} has been affected by civil strife in recent times. However, it still remains one of the most popular travel destinations. It had more than 14 Million visitors in 2009 and was ranked 17th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

Some of its top destinations such as Phuket and Krabi have a sizable Muslim population. As such, Halal food and prayer facilities are easily accessible. Krabi, Koh Samui & Phuket offer beautiful beaches and breathtaking natural sceneries. Other popular destinations include Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Thailand has been in the forefront of Halal food industry for some time now and is well aware of the needs of Muslim travellers.

7. Sri Lanka

Now with the conflict over, travellers can once again enjoy the great variety of options {tip Sri Lanka Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Sri Lanka Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Sri Lanka}Sri Lanka{/tip}offers. A beautiful island at the tip of the Indian Sub continent; you can experience breathtaking sights of beaches, hills, lakes, wildlife etc., all in an island of approximately 66,000 km. Sri Lanka has a coast line of 1,341 km. It is also the land where Adam (AS) is assumed to have first landed on Earth.

Apart from the sights, Sri Lanka is very famous for its gems. It is also blessed with other natural resources such as limestone, graphite, mineral sands, phosphates, clay etc.

The Muslim travellers will feel comfortable in Sri Lanka, given that Halal food is easily available and there are many Masaajid in all parts of the Island. Muslims make up approximately 8% of the total Sri Lankan population.

New York Times listed Sri Lanka as No. 1 of the "31 places to go in 2010" in January this year. In 2009, Sri Lanka had roughly 450,000 visitors, but the figures in next few years could be very different.

8. Singapore

For the Muslim traveller, {tip Singapore Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Singapore Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Singapore}Singapore{/tip}is a treasure-trove of food, shopping and entertainment for the whole family. With about 15% of the population being Muslim, Muslim travellers feel welcome in the island city.

The array of Halal food available in restaurantscertified Halal by the Islamic Religious Council of Singaporeis enough to delight any Muslim traveller. From fast food chains to international cuisine, there is a Halal option for even the fussiest eater. Finding a Mosque in Singapore is not difficult as there are more than 70 mosques spread out over the island.

In 2009, Singapore attracted close to 8 Million visitors and was ranked 30th worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

Singapore has much to offer to those staying for just a few hours, or even a week. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. For those who wish to indulge in late night shopping, where one may find anything and everything,Mustafa Centreis open 24 hours a day!

9. South Africa

Not many places can take on {tip South Africa Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the South Africa Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Singapore}South Africa{/tip}when it comes to Nature and Wildlife Tourism. With close to 10 Million visitors in 2009, it was ranked 33rd worldwide in the World Tourism Organizations (WTO) list of top travel destinations.

South Africa has a sizable Muslim community; as such, many travel attractions cater to the needs of the Muslim Travellers. There are many Halal certified restaurants in all the major cities.

Johannesburg,DurbanandCape Townhave a lot to offer for the visitors. The oldest and the largest wildlife conservation of South Africa, theKruger National Parkis a must for visitors to South Africa. The park is home to a number of wildlife and is better known for its Big Five' viewing points. Travellers can enjoy some great chances of seeing lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo and over 140 species of mammals and more than 500 varieties of reptiles, birds and amphibians.

Parts of South Africa are crime prone; visitors should take care when travelling around the country.

10. Australia (Gold Coast)

TheGold Coastin {tip Australia Muslim Travel Guide::Click here for the Australia Muslim Travel Guide home pageto help you plan your Halal Friendly Holiday to Australia}Australia{/tip}has been actively supporting the needs of all travellers. In order to make the Muslim visitors feel comfortable, it has implemented many Halal friendly facilities and services in the area. The Gold Coast has also been very active in certifying Halal restaurants.

For those who love sun, sand and lots of fun; Gold Coast is a great place to visit. It runs along one of the finest coasts of Australia and visitors as well as residents enjoy the favourable climate for exciting outdoor activities.

Gold Coast boasts of over 30 beaches expanding over 40km. Gold Coast Hinterland houses three national parks and is frequently visited by travellers. There are several mountain creeks, waterfalls and natural rock formations visitors can see.

Theme parks make the most visited attractions of Gold Coast. Some of these parks include Sea World, Dreamworld, Wet'n'Wild, Warner Bros. Movie World, White Water World and Australian Outback Spectacular.

Enjoy making your Halal Friendly Holiday plans for 2011. There are many Halal Friendly Facilities, services and destinations to choose from.